In January this year I decided after saving for ages to go and get Invisalign for my teeth. Cost nearly £5,000. On the initial consultation the dentist said I’d need a standard dental check and a hygienist appointment before he would get the braces made.
Had appointment and saw hygienist- this was extra to the cost of the brace treatment. He was the dentist doing the checkup and said that although I had some old fillings (2 from when I was 16-18) that everything seemed “Okay”. Said he was ok to start the process of fitting brace. Great I thought, now to get the brace,
Had the brace for 6 months, didn’t need it too long as my teeth were only slightly crooked. My last aligner finished last week. I went into dentist to have all the plastic attachments taken off my teeth.
During appointment, dentist takes all attachments off and does a bit of a check. Announces at the end of the appointment there is some serious filling issues and cavities which he said need “urgent” attention. He implies they were present during first appointment when I got my braces. Presents me with a proposed bill of work- £3k! Including white fillings in 7 different locations and a possible root canal.
He said I needed the work doing before he can create me the final retainer I’ll need to wear each night to keep my teeth in place now they’ve been straightened. Says he shouldn’t make the retainer until all work has been done as my teeth may have moved or shifted shape from fillings.
I really cannot afford the work- and am slightly skeptical I need these fillings. He showed me some xrays but I didn’t really see anything awful (but then again I wouldn’t!) have had zero pain and saw dentist 6 months prior to seeing him for my brace.
The final retainer I have already paid for as part of the Invisalign package. I feel like he’s holding me ransom and pushing me to spend another £3k on work before I get what I’ve paid for. He also mentioned more corrective and cosmetic finishes to the teeth after Invisalign- I.e shaving down pointy molars which he’s not even mentioned doing. After appointment last week I said I’d go home to think about it.
Aibu to call my surgery and tell them I just want the final retainer and to be done with everything? Or should I listen to him and have the work he’s proposed done?